Game 1 of the NLCS is in the books and results in a 3-2 win by the Cardinals over the Los Angeles Dodgers, thanks to an amazing performance by Carlos Beltran.
– A two run game tying double in the third inning off starter Zach Greinke who was unhittable through the first eight hitters he faced? Check
– Gunning out the go ahead run on a one hop throw to the plate in the 10th inning to gun down Mark Ellis who had just tripled? Check
– A walk-off game winning single off Dodgers Closer Kenley Jansen? Check.
– All three RBIs in a 3-2 win? Check
Beltran did it all in game one and was the clear MVP of game 1… but one would be remiss to not mention the great work done by the pitchers on both clubs to make the first game of the NLCS such a nail biter.
Still Beltran’s performance in this game is the type that will forever be engrained in the memories of St. Louis Cardinals fans, and we don’t think we are being pre-mature in christening this game, “The Beltran Game” as Cardinal fans have done for other greats over their long history.
Beltran has a reputation for coming up big in the playoffs, but so far in his career, a World Series Ring has eluded the 37-year-0ld right fielder. With this performance, he’s doing all he can to make that change.
We can only hope that the rest of the baseball playoffs can be as exciting as the first game of the Championship Series.
Game two goes tomorrow at 3 pm local time, 4 pm EDT.
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